Hazlehead Win Second Trophy

St Laurence 3 – 5 Hazlehead United

Report by Andy McLaren

Division Two (East) leaders Hazlehead United won their second trophy of the amateur season after they beat St Laurence 5-3 in the final of the Colin’s Tyres Dickie Trophy at Hillhead, Bridge of Don.

The Aberdeen side gave evidence of why they are in such a rich vein of form this season, as the two sides met in the Barclay Cook Cup final two weeks ago, with Hazlehead prevailing once more.

The Dickie Trophy is contested by all clubs in Division Two (North), Division Two (East) and Division Three.
United took hold of the game on 10 minutes when top goalscorer, Nicky Emslie, linked with Jamie Reid to smash a looping shot over the keeper from outside the area

There were many encouraging signs for St Laurence as a moment of controversy occurred. In a repeat of the Barclay Cook Cup final, St Laurence’s Jordan Miles was a the player most likely to create oportunities as he caused Kyle O’Neil great difficulty throughout the match. He was clean through on goal before a slight pull from 7 went unpunished as he appeared to be the last man for Hazlehead and prevented a goal scoring opportunity.

St Laurence were outplayed and had goalkeeper Gavin Hadden to thank for keeping the scoreline at 1-0. He saved well from Emslie before tipping a shot from Raymond Massie round the post.

The inventiveness of the league’s in form player at the moment, Nicky Emslie, made it 2-0 to United. The forward mirrored his first goal as he fired home a long range effort over the despairing Hadden.

However, as Hazlehead settled, St Laurence gradually gained more confidence as Cal Craige skipped past two defenders before slotting the ball to Neil Arthur who emphatically finished from 10 yards on 25 minutes.

Celebration for the St Laurence faithful soon followed as whatever Nicky Emslie could do, Kevin Bruce could do better for his side as he expertly stuck a long range effort which clipped the bar on its way past to level proceedings at 2-2 before half-time.

Half-time: 2 – 2

After the restart any hopes of using that goal as a foothold in the game were soon ended as Hazlehead’s Jamie Reid pounced on poor defending to fizz a shot past Hadden.

Hazlehead’s Brough Colvin injected more attacking energy into his team as he surged forward to pick out Emslie who completed an excellent hat-trick.

The athleticism of Cal Craigie caused Hazlehead problems throughout the match as he broke away for a one on one opportunity against goalkeeper Steven Fraser, but could only rifle the ball into the side netting.

This was shortly forgotten as St Laurence’s Jordan Miles broke the ball free from a scrappy defensive situation to toe poke it past Fraser.

This made for a nervy and exciting end to the match as St Laurence’s belief was for all to see as they pushed for an equaliser. More chances followed for both sides as St Laurence’s Kevin Bruce was forced to clear a stinging ball off the line.

Hopes of a comeback were dashed in the 80th minute as Paul Vass punished the attacking mentality of St Laurence as he shot through Hadden’s legs to ensure his side collected their second piece of silverware of the season.